Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1887-04-18
The Church Walking With the
World.

The church and the world walked far apart
On the changing shores of time;
The worll was singing gidhy song,
And the church a hymn sublime
''Come, give me your hand !" said the merry World
"And walk with me this way
But the good Church hid her snowy hands,
And solennly answered NAY,
will not give you my hand at all,
And l will not walk with you;
Your way Is the way that leads to death.
And your words all untrue"
NAY. walk with me but a little space
Said the World, with kindly air;
The road 1 walk IS pleasant road,
And the sun shines ALWAYS there;
Your path Is thorny, aud rough and rude,
But mine Is broad a ID plain;
Ny way Is paved with flowers and dews,
And yours with tears and pain;
The sky 10 me * always blue,
No want, no Toll 1 know;
The sky above you Is always dark,
Your lot is a lot ofwoe;
There's room enough for you and me
To travel side by side
Half shylv the Church approached the World
And gave him her hand of snow;
And the old World gra<ped it and wa ked along,
Saving in accents low,
y our dress Is too simple TO suit my taste
will give YOU pearls u wear,
Rich veivetS and silks for your graceful form,
And diamodds 10 deck your hair -
The church looked rwn at her plain white robes,
And then at the dazzling World.
And blushed as she saw his handsome lip
With a smile contemptuous curled
''I will change my dress for costlier one,''
Said the Church with a smile of grace;
Then her pure garments drifted away,
And the World gave in their place
Beautiful satns and shining silks,
Roses and gems and costly pearls.
While over her forehead Der bright hair fell,
Crisped In a thousand ours.
Your house is too plain, said the proud old
World,
81 will build You QUE like mine;
Carpets of Brussels, and curtains of lace,
And furniture fine -
So he butt her costly and beautiful house,
Most splendid it was TO behold;
Her sons and her beautiful daughters dweIt there,
Cleaning in purple and gold:
Rich fairs and shows in her halls were held,
And the World and his children were there.
Laughter and music and feasts were heard
In the place that made for prayer.
There were cushioned pess for the rich and the
gay.
To sit in their psmp and pride:
But the poor who clad in shabby array,
SAT- meekiy down outside.
''You give too much to the poor" said the World,
Far more than You ought TO do;
If they are in need OF shelter and food,
Why need it trouble you?
Go take your money and buy rich robes,
Buy horses and carriages fine,
Buy pearls and jewels and dainty food;
Buy the rsrest and costiiest wines;
Ny children-thry dote all these things,
And il you their love would win,
You must do as they do, and walk in their WAYS
That they are walking in
Then the Church held fast the strings of her purse
And modestiy bowed her head,
And siInpered, ''Sir, without doubt YOU are right
Henoeforth L viii do as you We said
50 the poor were turned from her door in scorn,
And she heard not the orphans CRY;
But she drew her beautiful robes aside,
As the widows weeping by.
Then the the w, rid and sons Of the church
Walked closely, hand and heart,
And only the Master Who knoweth all.
Could tell the two apart.
Then the Church sat down at her ease and said,
Il am rich and my goods increase;
have need OF nothing, anght to do,
But to laugh and dance and FEAST
The sly World heard, and he laughed in his sleeve,
AMI nocking said, aside
The Church j. fallen, the beautiful Church,
And her shame is her boast and PRIDE
The angel drew the mercy seat,
And whispered in sighs, her name;
Then the loud anthems of rapture were hushed,
And heads were covered with shame,
Anda voice heard at last by the Church
From Him who 4 the Throne:
Il know thy works, and hew thou hast said
Il am rich;' and hast not known
That thou art naked poor and blind,
And wretehed before my face;
Therefore from my presence cast thee out,
And blot my name from its place ''-se.ected,